Forums >Running 101>what can be done about corrupt officials cutting marathon course
Trails
I've DNF'd a few races because things just weren't going right...sometimes things just suck. If he has a real problem with that race don't do it ever again. If there were a lot of people misdirected or whatever they can appeal to the race director but that's about all you can do. I'd put it down as a learning experience and move on. It's not worth being all twisted about.
Slower but happier
I read the title like a race official ran their own course and cut it. Lol. Now that would be something...
2020 goal: couch to 5K, currently working on the couch block
So do they need to keep the entire course open the entire 6 hours?
Even the first couple miles?
There are generally very specific agreements with the city that permits the race on how long each street will be blocked off. As the race progresses the race has to open the streets back up to traffic, they don't keep the entire course blocked off the whole time.
If you are not going to finish within the cut off time it is up to you to know the route and follow it after they open the course back up to traffic.
I see nothing wrong here other than they probably shouldn't have given your friend a finishers medal.
My 2 cents.
Age: 50 Weight: 224 Height: 6'3" (Goal weight 195)
Current PR's: Mara 3:14:36* (2017); HM 1:36:13 (2017); 10K 43:59 (2014); 5K 21:12 (2016)
of course there is something wrong, because, if 6 hours is cut off, they have no right to do this. i could do this next year, and tell steward to fuck off and complete the course, is that acceptable too
Your friend was not going to finish within the 6 hour cutoff time. The race officials redirected him to the finish since they have a responsibility to see all competitors in their event are safely off the course by the end of the time their permits given them permission to use the course.
So what do you want from the race officials? Would an apology be enough? Or are you demanding a public flogging?
If your friend (and you) really feel the race officials treated you incorrectly, then post a negative review of the race and use your feet to go to other events.
Chief Unicorn Officer
I feel like I’m taking crazy pills.
Mile 5:49 - 5K 19:58 - 10K 43:06 - HM 1:36:54
Consistently Slow
+1
Run until the trail runs out.
SCHEDULE 2016--
The pain that hurts the worse is the imagined pain. One of the most difficult arts of racing is learning to ignore the imagined pain and just live with the present pain (which is always bearable.) - Jeff
http://bkclay.blogspot.com/
What marathon was this?
And you can quote me as saying I was mis-quoted. Groucho Marx
Rob
Paphos, Cyprus. Or that was what I came up with when I googled paphos based on one of the earlier posts.
Thanks! I just wanted to read what the cutoff wording was regarding the time limit. Oftentimes it will state that you must maintain a certain pace, etc. In this case, it just says:
"A 6 hour time limit will be imposed on the Logicom Cyprus Marathon event and a 3 hour limit for the Logicom Cyprus Half-Marathon."
So, a runner can either finish in less than 6 hours or run as far as they can in 6 hours? The runner was not going to complete the course in the prescribed time.
So, what were the options for the race director?
Problem Child
recently a friend ran a marathon, but as was slow, they opened roads, and cut course, even though they could have run along path to complete the full marathon course. he is very upset after checking map of route online to confirm the disrespect of officials, what can he do?this has not just affected me, and could have been going on for years. i know i could be opening pandoras box here,but someone has to step up
If I understand this correctly, your friend cut the course of a marathon because the barriers were taken down and he is upset at the race officials for it. He thinks race officials were disrespectful for starting to clean up prior to every single individual crossing the finish line, and directing him to the finish line. He probably wouldn't have finished in time which is why they were directing him to the shortcut. The only box you're opening is what was your friend's finish time going to be without cutting the course (as directed by race officials) and if it was a 6 hour cutoff was your friend ready to finish but get nothing for it?
Chicago has a 6 hour cutoff. If you don't finish in 6 hours they don't print your name in the newspaper and they SAY you're not an official finisher. The only complaint he should have was he wasn't allowed to finish over the cutoff time.
Many of us aren't sure what the hell point you are trying to make and no matter how we guess, it always seems to be something else. Which usually means a person is doing it on purpose.
VDOT 53.37
5k18:xx | Marathon 2:55:22